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Feb 18, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Lino Mark (2) drives the ball towards the basket as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Freddie Dilione V (5) defends during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Feb 18, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Lino Mark (2) drives the ball towards the basket as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Freddie Dilione V (5) defends during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Head Coach Steve Pikiell faces a blizzard of questions this off-season. Here are three three of the keys that are essential to a successful 2026-27 campaign.

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Feb 14, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger watchers his team play the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum.

Nevada Wolf Pack guard Tayshawn Comer.

Feb 21, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger looks on during the second half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center.

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers helmet during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime.

Feb 21, 2026; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher gestures in the first half against the Colorado State Rams at Moby Arena.

Feb 21, 2026; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Taj Degourville (24) controls the ball as Colorado State Rams forward Jevin Muniz (55) guards in the first half at Moby Arena.

Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger watches the game from the beach against Houston during the second half in the Big-12 men’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 16, 2026, in Ames, Iowa

Boise State's RJ Keene II.

Boise State's Andrew Meadow.

Feb 7, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) and Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) wait to celebrate with Iowa State Cyclones guard Nate Heise (0) after the basket in their game with the Baylor Bears during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum.

Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger calls a play against Houston during the second half in the Big-12 men’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 16, 2026, in Ames, Iowa

Rutgers lacrosse

Boise State's Pearson Carmichael.

Iowa State Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey (3) drives to the basket as BYU Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) defends during the first half in the Senior Day Big-12 conference showdown of an NCAA college basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Colorado State's Jase Butler (4) and Kyle Jorgensen (35).

Mar 13, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) drives to the basket during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at T-Mobile Center.

Feb 14, 2026; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Ali Farokhmanesh.

San Diego State Aztecs forward Pharaoh Compton (5).

Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger watches the game from bench during the second half against West Virginia on Jan. 2, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

Jan 17, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger reacts from the sideline against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Fifth Third Arena.

Boise State's Dylan Andrews.

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; A Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.

Jan 17, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger answers questions from the media after his team’s game against Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena.